The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1887-05-31
Population in the South.

Inc FuDnc Health Conference, recently
closed at Louisville, KY, was perhaps one
of the most important meetings of the kind
ever held in this country. 1t was certainly
one of the most interesting.
Among the papers read at the conference
was one by Bishop c. c. Penick, entitled
1.-The Colored Race as a Problem in Santa
ton" The Bishop claimed that the negroes
had degenerated in very marked degree
since their emancipation. He quoted Stats
ties to prove that they were dying off so per
cent. faster than the whites, and that the
death rate among them was much larger
than the increase. His conclusion was that
unless the whites did something to prevent
the mortality of the negroes it would be but
matter of time when the race in the United
States would become extinct
When the result of the census of 1880 was
made known, much comment was excited
by the apparent rapid increase of the
negroes. Indeed, there were some who
boldly declared that the time would come
when the negroes would not only outnuInber
the whites in the South, but when they
would by their superior numbers drive the
whites out or drag them down to their
level. OF course, their dismal prophecies
We're foolish. The English-speaking race,
when once it effects Judgement
never succumbs to any other. But the proph-
cies SO confidently made caused careful
inquiries to be instituted as to the relative
increase of the whites and negroes. The re-
suit was indisputable proof that the census
of 1870 had not been properly taken. The
negroes, at that time, We're situated so as to
make accurate enumeration of them almost
impossible, and in consequence their number
was declared to be smaller than it really
was. The census of 1880 was more carefully
taken, showing an apparently great increase
in the negro population. The increase was,
however, not greater than that of the
whites
The mortuary reports of Southern towns
and cities show that the death rate among
the negroes is greater than that among the
whites, and that the increase of the negro
population is less than that of the white
population. This is doubtless due to the ne
groes' mode of life. They lack, to a great
degree, the comfortable surroundings which
the whites enjoy Nevertheless, Bishop Pen
ick's conclusion is erroneous. The negroes
in the South win not become extincty They
learn to take better care of themselvs every
year, partly ON their own motion and partly
because they are compelled to do so by the
sanitary laws enacted and enforced by the
whites. 1t is not probabl, that the negroes
will ever outnumber the whites, but il is
probable that the relative increase of the
two races by births will continue what it is
now. immigration to tine South, which
must gradually increase, will place the
whites largely in the majority,
At Richmond the friends of Hon. ]. Ran
dolph Tucker are getting up petitions asking
the President to appoint him TO the vacancy
on the Federal Supreme bench. Mr. fuckers
enemies are looking for documentary evil
dence to show that when he was Attorney
General of Virginia he rendered an opinion
to the effect THAI the United States mails
could be searched for written and printed
matter that taught opposition to rights of
property in slaves. By going back so far.
his enemies confess that his record is a par
ticularly good one.